Lilium Elusive (O/T)

Lilies offer almost as many color variations as the tulip and are also great cut flowers. Many forms, sizes, heights, bloom times as well as colors are available. Our lilies are not treated with insecticides. Lily hybridization is creating some great new varieties. Although the breeding has produced some amazing flowers, it is getting harder and harder to classify what group they belong to as different types are hybridized together; 16/18cm bulbs, unless otherwise noted. Our lilies are listed below alphabetically but with a notation following as to what grouping. General groupings of lilies include:

• Asiatic (A) - blooming in early-mid summer, these long-lived perennials are terrific garden plants as well as cut flowers. They thrive in full sun as well as light shade and well-drained soil.
• Asiatic Oriental Asiatic (AOA) - new breeding of Asiatic x Oriental backcrossed with another Asiatic results in great garden lilies as well as good for flower production. Flowers are usually side facing, which works well in a garden setting; generally bloom mid-summer.
• Longiflorum (L) - early summer blooming, fragrant, megaphone-shaped flowers.
• Longiflorum/Asiatic (L/A) - most bloom early, are fragrant and have great substance; exceptional in the garden, containers and as cut flowers as they show strength, disease resistance and a tolerance to viruses; usually the earliest to bloom.
• Oriental (O) - flowers have recurved petals and a wonderful fragrance, bloom mid-late summer; great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Oriental/Trumpet (O/T) - large 5"-7" flowers held up by strong stems; bloom mid-late summer; lovely, soft sweet fragrance.
• Species (S) - bloom time varies throughout the summer, happiest in full sun with rich, well drained soil.

(Hint: When using lilies as cut flowers, snip off the anthers at the end of the stamens as they may stain tablecloths and clothing.)

Large 5"-7" flowers held up by strong stems; bloom mid-late summer; lovely, soft sweet fragrance.